Re: Hah!
www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs...8617412066
Favourite food truck put on ice
Sep. 19, 2006. 05:50 AM
ISABEL TEOTONIO
STAFF REPORTER
"Thank you," chimed James Vavaroutsos, poking his head out the serving window of his ice cream truck, while handing vanilla cones to two women yesterday.
Wearing a crisp white server's jacket and an oversized, puffy chef's hat, he elicited smiles from the faces of those lined up by Mister Softee Treats. And these days, it seems, he's evoking more than just smiles.
"Look," said the 67-year-old known to his customers as "Jimmy" as he peered down at the three toonies in his palm. "They left me a $2.50 tip. They must feel sorry for me. They must know."
It's not surprising they knew — after all, there was a petition with the heading "Please Help Us" next to the window.
The petition is to save "Jimmy" from eviction and keep the two food trucks he operates during lunch on a tiny, but bustling street in the heart of the financial district, continually churning out cheap, delicious fare.
Parked on Melinda St., next to Commerce Court, his colourful trucks have become something of an institution. He's been selling ice cream out of one since 1976 and burgers, sausages and French fries out of the other since 1979.
But a recent addition to the area — a hotel/condominium by high-profile developer Harry Stinson — means it isn't business as usual for Vavaroutsos.
The city now wants to revoke his vending permits in order to change Melinda St. and adjacent Jordan St. from one-way streets into two-way thoroughfares.
Jordan St. currently runs one-way southbound from King St. to Melinda St., while Melinda St. runs eastbound to Yonge St. The proposed change is being made to accommodate increased traffic because of the hotel.
And the extra traffic means Vavaroutsos will have to close shop.
"Jimmy's been serving this community for 30 years and for the city to turn around and say, `He's gotta go,' makes no sense," said Maurizio Arani, a five-year regular of "Jimmy's" who signed the petition yesterday.
"I don't think it makes any sense to turn these into two-way streets because they'll be more congested," said Arani, pointing to a long lineup of illegally parked courier and delivery trucks blocking both streets.
"It's not fair that a small guy like this is being shipped out because the big guys are moving in," he said motioning toward One King West, a hotel/condominium located at the corner of Yonge St. and King St. W.
It's true the proposed change in street direction was made by management of One King West in order to facilitate guests and residents arriving there by car. But, they say have no beef with Vavaroutsos or his burgers, and say they're not trying to squeeze him out.
Management of the eighth largest hotel in the city simply want to improve car access to the famed 51-storey highrise, considered to be the narrowest building in the world.
Because the building's parking lot and its main vehicle entrance are located at the south side and accessible only through Melinda St., the only way to get there by car is off King St. W., down Jordan St. and across Melinda St.
But, if Melinda were a two-way street, drivers could get there more easily, and directly, from Yonge St., explained Stinson, whose company manages the tower, built atop the old headquarters of the Dominion Bank.
"There are 572 suites that are all being used — this is probably one of the most active buildings in the city," said Stinson, who described it as "running 24 hours a day, seven days a week" and needing to be accessible at all times.
And since there's only one way to access the building by car, there have been "umpteen times" that reception has been flooded with calls from people wondering how to get there because of street closures resulting from a parade, a run or a movie shoot.
Until the last few years, couriers and delivery trucks wanting to access Commerce Court primarily used Melinda and Jordan Streets, but since the hotel opened its doors in August 2005 their capability to handle regular traffic have come under heavy scrutiny.
"The weaknesses weren't really noticeable when there really wasn't much use of the street and now there's significant use of the street," explained Stinson.
The demand for greater road access isn't driven by the residents of the building — most of who walk everywhere — but by the hotel guests, he said. It may be one of the easiest addresses in the city to get to, but it's probably the hardest to access by car.
For now, it's uncertain what direction the future of the hotel or Vavaroutsos' food trucks are headed in. The issue is scheduled to be debated by Toronto and East York Community Council on Thursday.
However, councillor Pam McConnell said yesterday it seems like there's little option but to move forth and convert both streets.
If Vavaroutsos's vending permits for that location are revoked, he will be given preferential treatment and allowed to move to another downtown location, she said. Currently, there's a bylaw prohibiting more vendors into the downtown core.
"I don't know what will happen to me," said Vavaroutsos, adding he worries about having to start fresh and build up a new clientele. "I had hoped to do this for as long as I can stand on my two feet. Now, I don't know."
